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Arab Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
FDA warns of severe itching linked to common allergy medications
NEW YORK, May 27: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding a rare but troubling side effect experienced by some individuals who stop taking certain over-the-counter allergy medications such as Zyrtec and Xyzal. According to the FDA, hundreds of people reported experiencing severe, widespread itching — medically known as pruritus — after discontinuing medications containing cetirizine or levocetirizine, the active ingredients in Zyrtec and Xyzal, respectively. The issue was significant enough in some cases to require medical treatment. 'These reported cases were rare but sometimes serious, with patients experiencing widespread, severe itching that required medical intervention,' the FDA stated in its warning. Some individuals described the itching as so intense that it negatively affected their quality of life and ability to function. Between 2017 and 2023, the FDA identified approximately 200 cases of post-discontinuation itching. Most of those affected had been using the medications daily for three months or longer, only to develop symptoms after stopping their use. Cetirizine is sold under several brand names including Zyrtec, Aller-Tec, and All Day Allergy, while levocetirizine is best known as Xyzal. Both are antihistamines commonly used to treat seasonal allergies, and are available in both prescription and non-prescription forms. In most instances, patients found relief by restarting the medication or by tapering off more gradually rather than stopping abruptly. While the number of affected individuals is relatively small compared to the tens of millions who use these drugs annually, the FDA is taking action. The agency announced it will revise the labeling of cetirizine and levocetirizine products to include a warning about this potential side effect. Despite the concern, health officials emphasize that the risk remains low and that these medications are generally safe for most users. However, they encourage individuals to speak with a healthcare provider if they experience unusual symptoms after discontinuing allergy medication.
The Hill
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
FDA warns of ‘rare but severe itching' after using popular allergy medications
(NEXSTAR) – Hundreds of people who stopped using allergy medications like Zyrtec and Xyzal noticed an uncomfortable new side effect, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a warning issued this month. In 'rare but severe' cases, and for unknown reasons, some who quit using the drugs became very itchy and had to seek medical help. 'Reported cases were rare but sometimes serious, with patients experiencing widespread, severe itching that required medical intervention,' the FDA said. The itching, known medically as pruritus, was so bad that affected people described 'significant and persistent impact on quality of life and ability to function.' The FDA identified about 200 cases of this severe itching between 2017 and 2023. In most cases, the people affected had been using cetirizine or levocetirizine daily for three months or more, and only noticed the itching start after they stopped taking the allergy pills. Cetirizine is sold over the counter under several brand names, including Zyrtec, Aller-Tec and All Day Allergy. Xyzal is a popular brand name of levocetirizine. Both ingredients are antihistamines, and may also be in prescribed medications. Most people were able to resolve the itchiness by restarting the medication. Some were able to restart the drug then taper off more slowly. The FDA is now revising the medications' prescribing information to include a warning about the possibility of itching. The vast majority of people who take the drugs likely won't experience pruritus. While the FDA was able to identify more than 200 cases worldwide, tens of millions of packages of the two medications are sold over the counter every year.
